Book inspired by a snowy walk

Monday

Dec 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM

By Andy Barrand

andy.barrand@hillsdale.com HILLSDALE — It was that quizzical look from a deer while walking in the woods one snowy afternoon near Marquette that inspired Carrie Clevidence Pearson’s latest book, “A Warm Winter Tail.” Pearson shared that story with a group of family, friends and supporters Saturday morning during a visit to the Hillsdale Public Library. Pearson, a graduate of Hillsdale High School, currently lives in Marquette with her husband Wally and their three daughters. Pearson said she was inspired by the deer, which became the center piece for her book. The book teaches children how animals adapt to the cold through short vignettes from each of the 11 animals in the book. The book, which Pearson began writing in 2008, was submitted to 12 different publishing houses before Sylvan Dell Publishing picked it up. For Pearson the book, which hit store shelves this fall, was her first published work. She said she was truly excited the day she got the letter in the mail telling her the books would be published. The book wasn’t Pearson’s first attempt at getting published, though. She had been seriously pursuing the career since March 2005. “I always loved writing stories, even as a kid,” she said. After reading hundreds of books to her daughters, she said, "Something just clicked one day and I thought I could do this.” Pearson’s journey writing children’s books started in 2005 when the family went on a month-long trip to Arizona. With the family's camper in tow they headed west. She said during that trip she would write at night while the girls were asleep about their adventures each day. Despite receiving 65 rejection letters from publishing houses, Pearson kept pursuing her dream. “My peers have told me that’s not a large number. It is a very competitive field,” she said. During her presentation Pearson took time to read her book to the children and adults that were in the audience. After the program she took questions and signed copies of her book.The illustrations for the book were done by Christina Wald of Ohio. Pearson has already signed a contract to write a second book for the publishing company. Her next book will look at how creatures deal with staying cool during the summer. Her working title is “A Cool Summer Spit Bath.”It is expected to hit bookstore shelves in 2014.She is also currently working on a novel and other works. “I hope whatever I write will be a book children will enjoy,” she said. “They are meant to be read to children while sitting in a rocking chair.” Children in attendance at the presentation also had the opportunity to make Christmas ornaments and decorate cookies after the event.